Update: A SEGA representative has confirmed to VideoGamer.com the authenticity of Sonic Mania‘s Collector’s Edition, and that it is available to pre-order now in North America. As of now, there are no plans to bring the special edition to Europe.
The collector’s edition for Sonic Mania has been announced; to confirm this edition is only available in North America. There is no information regarding a pre-order incentive for Europe at this time.
Original report: If you went wild back in July when SEGA announced that their spiky-haired blue mascot would be returning to his glorious 2D roots in Sonic Mania, you might want to sit down after seeing the above image.
A photo for a Collector’s Edition of next year’s platformer has appeared online by way of Twitter user Ryan Brown (via VideoGamer), which supposedly originates from Amazon US, although the source page appears to have been taken down since the leak, so we can’t say for sure if the image is genuine.
With that said, a product listing utilizing the same image has appeared on retail site PlayWebGamez, listing the gorgeous-looking package for $69.99.
There’s every chance that the leak is an elaborate hoax, but besides looking extremely authentic, it comes shortly after SEGA asked fans on Twitter if they’d like to see such a thing be released, to which the majority responded with an answer along the lines of “Shut up and take my rings.”
So, assuming this is the real deal, picking up the Collector’s Edition will net you a 12″ statue of Sonic standing atop a Genesis console, a commemorative Genesis cartridge cast with a golden ring and a digital download code for the game itself.
We’ll keep you posted as and when SEGA makes an official announcement for the Collector’s Edition, but in the meantime, just bask in it’s beauty.
Sonic Mania is due to release in Spring 2017.